Froome seeks third win Romandie

tour of Romandie is usually a difficult test at the beginning of the season for the round contenders both by time and the mountainous terrain. Photo: Tim De Waele | TDWsport.com

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AFP) – After Sunday his legs Liège-Bastogne-Liège stretching, team leader Chris Froome Sky is a third Tour de Romandie as his goal this week.

Froome is one of three former winners of the event this year, which begins on Tuesday and ends on Sunday.

For many candidates, a preparatory race Romandie early July before the Tour de France and defending Tour champion Froome Tour runner-up last year Nairo Quintana (Movistar) with French top hope Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) and Romain Bardet (AG2R La Mondiale) participants are also connected.

surprising champion Ilnur Zakarin is also in the starting line on Tuesday. He finished fifth stronghold in Liège on Sunday. He will be joined by his Katusha team-mate and 2010 winner, Simon Špilak Slovenia.

The 70th French-speaking Switzerland’s edition begins with a prologue 3.95 km to Chaux-de-Fonds, which are not likely to deliver results in every large time intervals between the main competitors, but not soon enough hierarchical order.

After that, the cold and possible snow could be a factor in the early days of racing.

Already last month had to create shopping both Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico because of snow hazardous conditions are canceled, while a classic day of golf has changed Liège Sunday after the race on the surface treacherous roads due to snowfall began to avoid.

The most risky step could be held on Thursday, the first mountain finish in Morgins be, but that is only 1,350 meters (4,429 feet) above the level of the sea.

a time trial of 15 km, the second time is a hard surface.

Although this race is two-and-half months on Friday following the Saturday before the crucial phase which includes two climbs of first category Col de la Croix ascent before the visit, has recently provided good indicator of the shape of the large loop hopes. Australian Cadel Evans in 2011, Bradley Wiggins in the next year, and his British compatriot Froome in 2013 all won support in Romandie before glory Tour.

set last year Froome appeared Romandie for the third year in a row to win, but a final product exceptionally poor test step time before going for the third, 35 seconds behind Zakarin time

Although it does not fly away in Liège -. Froome finished 112th, more than 10 minutes behind his Sky teammate and winner Wout Poels -. He was in good form earlier in the year, the Herald Sun Tour in Australia in February gain

Colombian Quintana worked well in March, when he won the Volta a Catalunya, but was only the third earlier this month, behind Spain Alberto Contador and other Colombian Sergio Henao in the Basque country. appreciated

Pinot also successful this year in the Criterium International last month, but also among the top five in the Algarve, the Basque Administration and Tirreno-Adriatico.

The Post Froome for the third victory target appeared on VeloNews.com Romandie first.